MGLE01: PLO REP TO LEBANON LAUDS GOL'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002343 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016 TAGS: IS KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY SUBJECT: MGLE01: PLO REP TO LEBANON LAUDS GOL'S PALESTINIAN INITIATIVES Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (b) . SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The recently-appointed Palestinian Representative to Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, described humanitarian conditions in the 12 refugee camps located in Lebanon as dire, requiring immediate, comprehensive infrastructure and humanitarian assistance. Representative Zaki praised the efforts of Prime Minster Siniora in addressing issues that have been resolutely ignored by previous Lebanese governments. He said, however, the PLO also understands the Government of Lebanon is constrained by its own economic challenges, not the least of which remains its persistently high unemployment. Zaki said political relations with the Siniora Government have gotten off on the right foot and he is looking forward to alleviating the long-standing despair in the camps, which have made them fertile ground for radical recruitment and activity. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Palestinian Representative to Lebanon Abbas Zaki, accompanied by Senior PLO Representative in South Lebanon, Khalled Arif, met with PRM/ANE Office Director Richard Albright and Regional Refugee Coordinator Claire Kaneshiro on June 26 at the PLO's new Representative Office in West Beirut. The office opened last month in a rented building and is the first visible sign of the Lebanese Government's new approach to Palestinian affairs, which is being managed out of the Prime Minister's office by Ambassador Khalil Mekkaoui. Embassy poloff also attended the meeting. REFUGEE CAMP IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Following his strong endorsement of PM Siniora's Refugee Camp Improvement Program, which will be managed by UNRWA and is intended to address pressing infrastructure needs in all 12 camps, Representative Zaki put forth his contention that Lebanon is one country where expeditious and significant improvement can be made in the refugees' lives. He argued that with its recent change of philosophy toward Palestinian refugees, the Government of Lebanon will now be a reliable and essential partner for improvement. ¶4. (SBU) Zaki said he understood the limits of the GOL's financial assistance, but he also maintained the Government was creating an operating environment where donor countries would feel confident their funded projects would be effectively coordinated and result in real quality of life improvements. Particularly concerning infrastructure projects, Zaki said he felt committed GOL involvement would ensure that the necessary infrastructure links (water, electricity, sewage) to the communities surrounding the camps would be coordinated and approved, if funding could be found. ¶5. (SBU) The newly appointed PLO official commended the special effort PM Siniora had made in reaching out to the donor community and said he believed the Government's commitment was genuine and stable. He also emphasized that, if successful, Lebanon would likewise benefit from improvements in the lives of the refugees, particularly in the matter of increased sectarian stability. ¶6. (C) While insisting the PLO remains the sole representative of the Palestinian refugee community in Lebanon, Zaki conceded that Sunni radicalism has taken root in the more desperate camps, specifically mentioning Ain el Hilweh, located outside Sidon. He admitted the PLO had neglected its responsibilities in Lebanon, but its officials are now committed to rectifying past mistakes. When asked how the PLO was specifically answering the challenge of increased radicalism, Zaki became vague and returned to the need to address long-neglected health, education, water, and shelter needs. DIFFERENT PRIORITIES -------------- ¶7. (SBU) When asked to prioritize those needs, Zaki somewhat unexpectedly placed medical care for the camps' increasing number of persons with severe illnesses -- heart problems, cancer, diabetes, kidney failure -- as the most pressing concern. Representative Zaki said the refugees' meager resources prevented them from seeking critical treatment, even though medical services were available in the BEIRUT 00002343 002 OF 002 surrounding communities. His next stated priority was education, specifically the alleviation of classroom overcrowding and the lack of opportunity for post-secondary study. Only then did Zaki mention the large infrastructure projects that figure so prominently in GOL/UNRWA's new program. ¶8. (SBU) Zaki explained the discrepancy between PLO and UNRWA priorities as an unfortunate necessity to somehow sequence a number of needs, all of which were pressing. He once again pressed his position that due to the GOL's new commitment, a unique opportunity had presented itself and expressed his hope that the donor community would likewise take a fresh approach to the refugee population in Lebanon. REQUESTS THE US TO TAKE THE LEAD -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Representative Zaki admitted it was asking a great deal, but said that unless the U.S. takes the lead in helping to improve the refugees' situation in Lebanon, other donor nations would probably not follow. He urged the U.S. to not only donate resources, but to use its influence with its allies in the humanitarian effort. Albright responded that the U.S. had taken the lead in supporting Lebanon's National Dialogue process, and as part of that effort, State/PRM was examining appropriate projects for funding. He added that the best way to attract continued support from the U.S. and other donor countries was for the Lebanese Government, UNRWA, PLO, and the camps' governing committees to coordinate effectively in ensuring that the initial projects were successful. "WE ARE NOT A SECURITY RISK" -------------- ¶10. (C) When asked about security in the camps and whether Lebanon's security forces would ever be able to operate in them, Representative Zaki said the PLO would like to see that happen. At the same time, Zaki said the refugees were sensitive to non-Palestinians "treating them like slaves or some sort of dangerous security risk." If the means could be reached whereby Lebanon's security services would provide safety for the camps just like they do in any Lebanese community, it would be welcomed. He insisted that Palestinians believe in the rule of law and promised, "if we are given our rights and dignity, we will be even better than the Lebanese in observance of the law." ¶11. (C) Representative Zaki closed the discussion by emphasizing that time was of the essence. According to Zaki, Lebanon's Palestinian refugee population was in many ways worse off than any other Palestinian community and in certain camps and gatherings, the sense of futility and desperation were almost palpable. He maintained that the GOL's new attitude and talk about planned improvements had raised refugee expectations. Representative Zaki urged the donor community to take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity to improve the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. ¶12. (U) PRM/ANE Albright has cleared this cable. FELTMAN